Arteta regularly eulogises over Anfield and St James’ Park, the ‘jungles’ and ‘washing machine’-like atmospheres he revels in. He has spoken of wanting to write the first chapters of defining nights at the Emirates, but the fever that had been building the past two years has faded this season and Tuesday saw some fans leave early.

The debate about whether Arsenal need an elite striker to get over the line and win a trophy has started again. The Gunners have finished second in the Premier League for the past two seasons and have not won a trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 2020.

Arsenal’s Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Newcastle United felt like more than just a stumble — it exposed a recurring problem at the Emirates. The lack of clinical finishing was glaring, and in